Electric car drivers will get a 75 per cent reduction in drop-off charges at London’s Luton Airport as part of a new trial.
Until September 30, drivers will pay £2 for 30-minute drop-offs and pick-ups (stays over that length will not be discounted).
Electric vehicles won’t use the normal drop-off zone, instead being directed to the nearby multi-storey car park (not the further away mid- and long-term car parks) which normally costs £8 for 30 minutes’ parking.
Drivers will also be able to use the charging points on level 2 for free while they wait.
The usual price in the drop-off zone is £4 for 13 minutes and £1 a minute after.
The airport says that if the trial is “successful” the reduced rate will be brought in on a permanent basis.
Jonathan Pollard, chief commercial officer at Luton, said: “We’ve always encouraged people to travel to the airport in more sustainable ways such as taking the train and to leave their cars at home.
“That’s why we’re introducing this discount for electric vehicles. If there’s enough demand, we plan to make the incentive permanent and address any requirement to increase the number of electric charging points.”
Luton is the only London airport without a direct express-style rail service, and it wants the government to introduce four trains per hour as part of the refranchising of the East Midlands rail line.
The airport is also building a £225 million light rail system linking the airport with Luton Airport Parkway station which is set for completion in 2021.
